And now for the Competition…
All magazines have a competition now and then so here is ours.
As some readers may be aware the Methodists have been placing beer mats in pubs asking for people to come up with an 11th commandment. We challenge the residents of the Benefice to do the same. Entries to the Editor by 18th May. The Vicar’s decision is final and a bottle of wine for the winner.
A Window of Opportunity
News from Earl Soham Church
Earlier this year the Chancellor announced that he was making available a grant, at least for the next year, to offset the VAT requirement on repairs to church buildings, for us in Earl Soham, that means a saving of £3000! The PCC and The Friends of St. Mary’s are very keen to get the work done this summer. They were delighted in the week before Easter to receive two cheques, one from the Garfield Weston Foundation for £2000, which came with “the very best wishes of the Weston family” and another for £500 from the D.C. Moncrieff Charitable Trust. We need a final push to find the remaining money, about £2000. In the words of “Bob the Builder”: “Can we do it, yes we can!”
This is a real window of opportunity to repair the windows of our church, to the glory of God, and for the benefit of those who currently sit in a cold draught!
Christian Aid Week
Christian Aid Week begins on May 9th. You will have received an envelope for Christian Aid with this magazine. We hope that we will be able to collect from your home, in each of our three villages, some time during the week beginning the 9th. If for any reason, we are unable to collect from you, and you wish to make a donation, please ring Clare on 685778, who will come and collect from you. This is the only door-door collection that the Church makes on behalf of the world's poor. Christian Aid is at work in the poorest of places and often very dangerous places. Please support their work, and if you are able to fill in the Gift Aid declaration on the envelope, it makes an enormous difference.
Ashfield Ladies Group
18th May |
It’s a Grave but Funny Life |
Andrea Race |
15th June |
AGM |
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For further information contact Susan Hansen on 01728 685738.
Friends of St Peter's Cretingham
Dr Sam Newton’s talk on ‘Sutton Hoo and the Early History of the Deben Valley’ will take place at St Peter’s Church, Cretingham, on 26th April. A warming glass of wine is included in the entrance fee of £6.00. The evening gets underway in the Church at 7pm. and tickets can be ordered via Margaret Williams at the Cretingham Post Office (telephone 01728 685 322) or obtained on the door at the event. This should be a most enlightening talk and it is hoped that there will be considerable village support for this event.
A dozen gardens should be open for the Cretingham Classic Cars and Gardens event on Sunday 13th June from midday to 5pm. Tickets and guides will be available at the Church on the day or can be acquired from Margaret Williams at Cretingham Post Office (01728 685322) beforehand. As well as musical entertainment on the day there will also be a ‘design my garden’ event with a very good bottle of bubbly for the winner. Classic cars will be on display at various locations throughout the village. Plants and cuttings are required for the stalls and we would be very grateful for any donations. Contact via our secretary, Pamela Pinner, on 01728 685406, who will enable the necessary collection/drop off arrangements. This event, our biggest for the year, is a first for the Friends by way of sponsorship and the Trustees are most grateful for their support, which will be highlighted on the day.
Come along and give us your support on the day, all aimed at maintaining the structure of our cherished St Peter’s Church.
Tony Whitmarsh Chairman
Forge Cottage
Celtic Summer
Two different weeks focusing on the lives of the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Saints - Bede, Cuthbert, Aidan, Hilda and Columba - are open to all this summer at St. John's College, Durham.
Staying at St John's College, just a few metres from the Cathedral, the two weeks include visits to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Whitby, York, Durham, Jarrow and Monkwearmouth.
Between 2nd – 9th August, teacher and broadcaster Mary Steel will lead a week of visits, talks and lectures. Excellent food, luxury coaches add to the excellent value for the whole week - just £345.
Revd Rob Marshall, a well-known voice on BBC Radio 2 (Pause For Thought) and BBC Radio 4 (Though for the Day) will lead a similar week between 9th - 16th August. For just £335 pilgrims will be able to enjoy all of the main sites of the northeast.
There is plenty of free time and a chance to meet new friends.
For further information please contact Mark on 01274 599622.
The East Anglian Academy
On May 1st at 8.00 p.m. in St. Michael’s Church the famous Dutch organist, Piet Kee, is to give a special concert dedicated to the memory of Ian Cooper who was a great friend and supporter of the Academy. The programme will include music by Buxtehude, Bach, Brahms and Reger.
At 11.00 a.m. that morning four young talented organists will take part in a master class. There will be a video link so that the audience can see as well as hear the organ being played.
Tickets: Masterclass £4.00 Recital £10.00 Combined Ticket £12.00
Further information and booking Judith Russell 01728 724456